Energy Group’s Ad Shows Congress Bigger (Offshore) Picture

Energy Group’s Ad Shows Congress Bigger (Offshore) Picture

Offshore energy projects can jumpstart U.S. economy by creating thousands of jobs

WASHINGTON – This morning, the nonprofit American Energy Alliance (AEA) placed a full-page advertisement in the Capitol Hill newspaper Roll Call, squarely targeting lawmakers opposed to expanding offshore energy production. The ad, featuring four identical pictures of a clear ocean horizon as seen from the shore­­, shows that beautiful beaches and prosperous offshore energy projects—even those as close as 12 miles from shore—can successfully coexist. More than that, the immense benefits of any action by Congress to expedite responsible oil and natural gas exploration in previously-restricted areas off our coasts would include:

• Reducing reliance on foreign oil from unstable regimes;
• Generating new revenue streams for federal and state governments—recent estimates project an additional $2.6 trillion in federal revenues;
• Making U.S. energy more affordable; and
• Creating thousands of well-paying jobs for American workers.

“As the American economy shifts its view toward finding ways to create new jobs, generate new revenue, and cultivate new affordable energy supplies, today’s ad from AEA makes plain that every one of those things can be found by looking offshore,” announced AEA president Thomas J. Pyle. “In fact, the only thing you won’t find out offshore is any sign or sight of a well, rig or platform.  And as this ad clearly demonstrates, that view doesn’t change even in exploring for American energy as close as 12 miles from the coastline.”

“While about 70 percent of Americans — and almost 50 percent of Obama supporters — spent the past year asking candidates to allow domestic oil and gas drilling in areas formerly deemed ‘off limits’, the fight for access to these natural resources is not yet over,” Plye continued. “Unfortunately, there’s growing evidence that restricting OCS access will be one of first priorities of the 111th Congress.”

“From where most Americans stand on offshore drilling, the view is great: new revenues, better jobs, a stronger economy and a more secure energy future. And after seeing AEA’s ad, hopefully Congress will get the picture too.”

To request a copy of the new ad or to schedule an interview with an AEA expert, please contact our media department at [email protected] or (703) 516-2173

The American Energy Alliance (AEA) is a recently formed not-for-profit 501(c)(4) organization that advocates for free-market energy and environmental policies.  It is affiliated with the Institute for Energy Research (IER), another not-for-profit – founded in 1989 – that conducts intensive research and analysis on the functions, operations, and government regulation of global energy markets.  Both AEA and IER maintain that freely-functioning energy markets provide the most efficient and effective solutions to today’s global energy and environmental challenges and, as such, are critical to the well-being of individuals and society.

www.americanenergyalliance.org